William Cruise Hi Ella,
433 Terhune Avenue
Passaic, New Jersey 07055Tues. P.M.
It was good getting your note. Glad you had a good time in the exotic City of Buffalo. Glad also that you are planning a trip to Spain.
We have come a long way. The three of us have comfortable homes. Cannot say as much for those of bygone days. Pop made $7 a week working at Gandy's paper mill. Mother paid $7 a month rent. Did not leave much for extras. For the $7 we had the four walls and a roof, no heat, no electricity, no indoor plumbing. We finally moved uptown.
We still did not have any heat except that from the kitchen stove. We still did our homework under oil lamp. We did have running water in the cellar. It also had an outdoor comfort. Mother finally decided to stop paying rent to someone so she took a loan from the building and loan to purchase 34 Ferry St. Eventually we had Jim Leary put in electric lights. We had heat installed, also a bathroom, even a telephone.
Although we did not have much, we were the only ones in Lambertville who had a baby grand piano in the living room at 13 So. Main.
Pop finally left the paper mill and took a job at the quarry. After a short time there he left and took a job at the car shop. He used to get up at 5 a.m. to work in his garden and would return only to continue working in the garden until dark. He gave away to neighbors what he grew. He left the car shop and went to work in the rubber mill.
He did not arrive home one night after putting in a day at the rubber mill. Mother sent you out to look for him. You found him setting on the stop of the foundry. He was hardly able to walk. You managed to get him home. He went to bed and never went back to work.
Uncle Tom Flood told mother she had better take me out of school and put me to work. She refused, told him that I was going to finish school, for which I am grateful.
Someone stole my shoes and I had to borrow a pair for graduation. I finally landed a job in Passaic. Had to borrow some money from Fr. Bossi for when I worked to pay too my transportation and living expenses in Passaic until I received my first check.
In the meantime I had worked in the rubber mill. I carried paper morning afternoon and Sunday for which I received $2.25 a week. I also worked for Elmer Kitchen helping him to deliver milk for which I received $1.00 a week. I was only 10 years old.
I later worked in the bag mill. It was there that I learned a great lesson. One week I received more money that I should [have] received. I went to Mr. Oblinger who was Supt. and told him that I had received too much money. It so happened that Nellie Schemerhorn was in charge of payroll. She was also the girlfriend of Mr. Oblinger. I had put her in bad light and as a result I lost my job for being honest.
I came to Passaic and landed in roll school where Mr. Fodor was principal. He had lived in Lambertville. His brother used to work in the car shops. He returned home each day spic and span.
While in Passaic I continued to go to school. I attended classes in NYC where I received by B.S. and M.A. It was there that I came in contact with Dr. Jack R. Nash. He was like a father to me. My association with him at N.Y.U. changed much for me. He was a leader in the field of Phy. Ed. and Recreation. He paid me a great compliment. In all my years as camp laborer [?] told me that I should not do certain things the way I was doing. He had utmost confidence in me.
In 1937 a vacancy occurred in the position of principal at Roll School, Passaic. It was necessary for me to get 9 credits to achieve the position. I used to get the camp up every day. Take the mail for N.Y.U. from my cart, Washington Bridge, park the car and take a bus across the bridge, then take the subway to Manhattan Square, give the mail to a secretary walking for me, attend classes until 1 p.m., take subway back to G. Washington Bridge, pick up my car, head back to camp, shopping en route to get back early arriving back at camp when I then attended classes at 3 p.m. At the end of the semester, I was a wreck. However did I manage to receive my supervisor's certificate in time to be approved vice principal at Roll School.
In 1942 I went overseas with Red Cross. There I served as Director of ARC Mostyn Club and continued to serve until 1945. It was a great experience. One I shall never forget. For my service I was honored by being awarded the Medal of Freedom, the highest award given a civilian by the U.S. government.
Returning to Passaic, I was assigned to being principal of the school and later took in school kids in addition to school job.
In 1951 I was prevailed upon to run for the County Commissioner, the outcome was the fact that I had received more votes than any other candidate had ever received. I turned down the Mayorship due to a conflict of interest. I turned it over to Morris Pashman. He at the present time is a member of the N.J. Supreme Court.
I have had the privilege of serving on many boards in Passaic. I have been chairman of Passaic Chapter of Red Cross, a member of the board of directors of Passaic Boys Club, a member of the board of directors of Passaic Youth, first Catholic to serve. Honorary member of United Way, a honorary member of Passaic County Visiting Health Services, past president of Passaic Rotary, having received the Paul Harris Award, the highest award made by Rotary Club.
One of the brightest things I in my life has been the successes you and Bob have attained. You are loved by all who know you. A high light of my life was the day you walked down the aisle of Sacred Heart Church with you holding me by the arm and turning you over the to Vince Shannon. The years which followed speak for themselves. You are good for him and he is good for you. I do hope that God will continue to shower his blessings on you both. May I ask that you remember me in your prayers. Please ask God to release me from Parkinson's Disease. Just know that I am very proud of you and Bob. K[athryn] says hello.
Very fondly,
William
